merry merry | Christmas morning, 2018

another year of something to read, something to wear, something you want and something you need.  always one of my favorite traditions. 

solly, ez and oscar got new maileg stuffed animals (a doggie for solly, a hippo for ez & a silver fox for oscar), amos scored his very first official gamecock gear (an under armour hoodie), oscar got new glow in the dark natives & their "big" gift this year was a new ninja warrior slackline! which has been loads of fun and only semi-dangerous so far ...

the boys gave me a(nother) footprint picture -- my favorite gift to receive -- and this year, it was all amos' idea! *note: ez's foot is about 1/4" bigger than solly's now 

mikey served lattes from our new machine (thanks OD & Cat) to all of our visitors & we had cinnamon rolls + steak & eggs + homemade hash browns for breaky 

mikey and i celebrated fifteen christmases together this year, and i'm certain that each one has been fuller, louder, sweeter & messier than the last. more costly, more unpredictable & more lively. but also, so much more lovely. i'm breathing in this season with my people, stamping these years with littles on my heart, knowing that one day when our house is quiet on christmas morning, i'll always, always be grateful for the chaos, the mess, the utter joy ...

[christmas morning, 2017]

Our 2018 Christmas card

the martin band of brothers wishes you a very merry christmas! 

alternate: future album cover of my tiny fraternity  

(photo from marblehead, ma // summer 2018) 

oh Christmas tree | 2018

A few weeks ago we spent an afternoon hunting a Christmas tree at May-Lan Tree Plantation. I'm not sure if the boys loved tromping in the mud or hunting for the tree more?! Everyone took turns carrying the saw and when we finally found our tree, Mikey chopped it down for us! I also scooped up some felled branches and limbs to make garland for the mantel this year! 

This may be my favorite tree yet. It's tall and full and has limbs that hang way out. We strung lights and hung ornaments with Christmas music in the background and for the first time ever, we have a star on top! 

Celebrate | Amos is SIX!

A few weeks ago Mosie turned SIX!! I can't even believe it. We actually celebrated Amos & Solly's birthdays with a snake birthday party (more soon) in October, but I couldn't let his actual birthday go by without ado. So, on his birthday, we got him & his friend Marci out of school early and went to see the Grinch! It's SO cute! We had popcorn that we passed around and cokes for everyone! AND an almost empty theater since we went during school hours. After the movie, we played at home (Amos tried out his new rip-stick) and had pizza for dinner. 

At six:

+favorite thing: snakes

+loves: drawing (mostly snakes)

+favorite color: red

+does not like school ("because he isn't learning anything")

+does not like mornings

+does not like to be cold 

+can read

+can count to infinity (well, he's made it to 7,000, so ...)

+has decided he's a Gamecock fan 

Mosie man, I sure do love you and love being your mama. You're such a joy (hard, but a joy). Six whole trips around the sun doesn't even seem possible, but I truly love who you are and who you're becoming. Keep growing big & strong, sweet boy! 

Celebrate | Oscar is ONE!!!

Our sweet Oscar Fox turned ONE!! We celebrated with a fox cake, snacks, gifts & friends and family. 

I cannot believe how quickly this pas year has gone. I'm pretty sure I just birthed this brown haired, blue eyed boy in our bathtub at home, but, I know that's not true. Time has a way of passing so slowly some days, yet disappearing in the blink of an eye. 

Oscar, you're such a little stud. At one you are so much fun! You walk and babble, can keep up with the brothers (and prefer to be where they are), sleep like a champ, eat all the things and are generally just a happy boy. You're feisty - as the fourth brother has to be. You're strong and brave. We love you so, so, so much Oscar Fox! We're glad to call you ours! 

[ezra turns one]

[solomon turns one]

[amos turns one]